David Sparkes has refused to back down in the furore over Tom Daley’s
television appearances despite becoming the subject of fierce criticism in a
letter from the diver’s mother.

The chief executive of British Swimming, has risked deepening the divisions
between his organisation and Daley by standing by his reported remarks that
questioned the Olympic bronze medal-winner’s commitment to his sport.

Sparkes opened the argument by expressing concerns about the teenager’s
involvment in Splash!, the ITV celebrity diving programme, which was
shown for the first time last weekend.